The Sabi Sand Game Reserve holds a different kind of magic. While most speak of its wide-open bush, iconic wildlife, and extraordinary lodges, for me, it's something deeper. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Chitwa Chitwa every year since I was two years old. What began as my grandfather’s farm has since been transformed into a world-class safari lodge by my uncle, Charl. It’s more than just my favourite place; it's part of who I am.
With that kind of history comes questions. And the one I’m asked most is, “When is the best time to go on safari?” Trust me when I say: at Chitwa Chitwa, every season performs. So, the question isn’t whether to go, it’s simply: When will you go? Chitwa in Dust. In Bloom. In Stillness. Which season speaks to you?
In Dust: The Dry Season (May to September)
This is what most call the best time to go on a luxury safari, and I can see why. The bush thins, but the drama intensifies.
Visibility is at its peak, and the dry terrain reveals a raw, cinematic landscape. I am awoken by crisp mornings, which are best paired with Bethuel's (one of our spectacular trackers) famous bush coffee. Greeted by the warm winter sun on my back during breakfast, I struggle to think how the day can get any better.
Then, the afternoon hits. It becomes alive with movement, especially from the big cats, who thrive in this season. Chitwa’s resident leopards, like Thandi, Maribye or the Tortoise Pan male, often grace the open terrain, prowling with quiet confidence.
The iconic watering hole becomes the stage for Africa’s greatest theatre. Buffalo herds clash. Elephants hold their ground. The tension is real, and the performances? Unforgettable.
Elephants frequent the Chitwa Dam and give a spectacular show
Photographers will revel in this golden light, dusty air, and predator presence. Fewer insects mean lower malaria risk, making it ideal for family safaris. The evenings are accompanied by crackling fires, full-bodied wines, and decadent three-course dinners under the stars.
When I walk back to my suite, guided by a ranger (or as I like to call them, my knight in shining khaki), the bush hums around me. A symphony of frogs and insects is my bedtime melody. This is the season for first-timers, big cat lovers, and anyone drawn to the striking clarity of safari storytelling.
In Bloom: The Green Season (November to March)
Lush, lush, lush. That’s the only way to describe this vibrant, untamed season
The humidity hangs heavy in the air, and yes, your hair might have plans of its own. You’ll want to bring along your trusty hair straightener, though there’s no need to overpack. The lodge is equipped with state-of-the-art Dyson hair dryers to help you stay effortlessly polished between game drives. This is Africa’s nursery season, brimming with impala, zebra, wildebeest, and warthog newborns. It’s perfect for families, children, and wide-eyed wanderers chasing Lion King moments.
The predators are on high alert, taking advantage of the abundance of inexperienced prey. It's thrilling to watch. I’ve sat on the deck, mid-salmon poké bowl, only to see nature’s wild theatre unfold right in front of me at Chitwa Dam.
I see epic storms roll through with thunderous applause, followed by sunsets that blend perfectly into the water. This is where you get acquainted with your luxe raincoat, keeping the rain out, but your wonder in.
Witnessing wildlife in Sabi Sand is different – it hits home
Elephants delight in daily swims. I don’t even need to leave my suite’s plunge pool to enjoy a full game drive. I just order a refreshing cocktail from the bar as there’s no driving needed.
My fellow birders, rejoice: this is the peak of migration season, with rare species like the European roller, Amur falcon, red-backed shrike and southern ground hornbill arriving from Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.
This is the season for returning safari-goers, birdwatchers, photographers, and those who crave vivid colour and movement in every corner.
In Stillness: The Shoulder Months (April and October)
The in-between. The golden hush before the rains. The soft pause between the lush and the dry. April and October are definitely the underrated gems of the Sabi Sand.
With fewer guests in the reserve, game drives become more intimate and the experience more personal. The bush is still visible, but the atmosphere feels quieter, more contemplative. There’s a scent in the air that's fresh, earthy, and fleeting that I always associate with this time.
High tea becomes a ritual. A different delight each day, ready to dazzle my tastebuds, followed by the thrill of dusk and the promise of game. I love this hour of in-between. The joy for what has been, contentment in what is, and anticipation for what’s to come.
Migratory birds also return in full song, like European rollers, bee-eaters, cuckoos, and woodland kingfishers. The light rains create dramatic skies and radiant sunsets. If you’re like me, the subtle fizz of gin in hand makes this moment complete.
And then… the impala lambs arrive. All shaky legs and innocence. A feast for predators, a spectacle for the soul.
This is the season for honeymooners, introverts, and those who want the bush all to themselves.
At the end of the day, it's about the memories we make and those we share it with
Every Season, a Signature
Chitwa Chitwa has a way of shaping the moment, amplifying the beauty of whatever season you arrive in. March for me holds a quiet kind of magic at Chitwa Chitwa.
The newborns, now steadier on their feet, tumble and play with wide-eyed wonder. Mornings are cool and gentle, making it perfect for slow game drives that are followed by sun-drenched afternoons beside the pool, book in hand, toes dipped in stillness.
Somewhere in the distance, the mighty African fish eagle calls, echoing across the dam as I sip a perfectly poured Aperol spritz. The orange of the sun melts into my glass, and for a moment, time pauses.
On the final leg of the game drive, the stars arrive one by one, glittering above in a sky so vast it reminds me just how small – and lucky – I am to witness it. Then, as if conjured by a dream, the Chitwa pizza truck appears in the middle of the bush, its fire blazing, crusts crisping, toppings layered like memories. Gourmet meets wild.
This time of year is made for connection. For long lunches, shared laughter, barefoot dinners, and a quiet kind of love – the kind that lives between family, between animals, and between the land and all of us lucky enough to feel its pull.
Some months unfold in whispers. Others in thunder. Some kissed in green. Others cloaked in gold.
Visit Chitwa Chitwa in Every Season
To visit Chitwa is to step into the wild, not as backdrop, but as host. So whether you come when the bush blooms, when the dust dances, or when stillness wraps the lake like silk, the experience will be yours alone. Because Chitwa Chitwa isn’t just a lodge, it’s a moment in nature, styled by time. And every season holds its own kind of luxury. Which season will you choose?